Configure a VPN Connection Using Windows XP

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In this article we will learn how to configure a connection to a virtual private network (VPN) using Windows XP. This article will show you how to create a new VPN connection using icrosoft Windows XP. !y creating an encryption tunnel through the Internet" data can #e passed safely. Pu#lished$ Mar 18, 2005 %pdated$ Mar 18, 2005 &ection$ Articles !irewalls " VPNs 'uthor$ #o$ert %& '(i)ons*i Printa$le Version 'd(ust font si)e$ *ating$ +&+,5 - 102+ Votes + , . /

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VPN ./er/iew
' VPN is a private network created over a pu#lic one. It9s done with encryption" this way" your data is encapsulated and secure in transit : this creates the ;virtual9 tunnel. ' VPN is a 4ethod of connecting to a private network #y a pu#lic network like the Internet. 'n internet connection in a co4pany is co44on. 'n Internet connection in a <o4e is co44on too. With #oth of these" you could create an encrypted tunnel #etween the4 and pass traffic" safely = securely.

http$>>www.windowsecurity.co4>articles>configure=vpn=connection=windows=?p.ht4l If you want to create a VPN connection you will have to use encryption to 4ake sure that others cannot intercept the data in transit while traversing the Internet. Windows XP provides a certain level of security #y using Point=to=Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) or @ayer Two Tunneling Protocol (@,TP). They are #oth considered tunneling protocols : si4ply #ecause they create that virtual tunnel (ust discussed" #y applying encryption.

Configure a VPN wit( XP

If you want to configure a VPN connection fro4 a Windows XP client co4puter you only need what co4es with the Aperating &yste4 itself" it5s all #uilt right in. To set up a connection to a VPN" do the following$ +. An the co4puter that is running Windows XP" confir4 that the connection to the Internet is correctly configured. Bou can try to #rowse the internet Ping a known host on the Internet" like yahoo.co4" so4ething that isn9t #locking IC P ,. Click &tart" and then click Control Panel.

-. In Control Panel" dou#le click Network Connections

.. Click Create a new connection in the Network Tasks task pad

/. In the Network Connection Wi)ard" click Ne?t.

D. Click Connect to the network at 4y workplace" and then click Ne?t.

E. Click Virtual Private Network connection" and then click Ne?t. 0. If you are pro4pted" you need to select whether you will use a dialup connection or if you have a dedicated connection to the Internet either via Ca#le" 8&@" T+" &atellite" etc. Click Ne?t.

1. Type a host na4e" IP or any other description you would like to appear in the Network Connections area. Bou can change this later if you want. Click Ne?t.

+F.Type the host na4e or the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the co4puter that you want to connect to" and then click Ne?t. ++.Bou 4ay #e asked if you want to use a &4art Card or not.

+,.Bou are (ust a#out done" the rest of the screens (ust verify your connection" click Ne?t.

+-.Click to select the 'dd a shortcut to this connection to 4y desktop check #o? if you want one" if not" then leave it unchecked and click finish. +..Bou are now done 4aking your connection" #ut #y default" it 4ay try to connect. Bou can either try the connection now if you know its valid" if not" then (ust close it down for now.

+/.In the Network Connections window" right=click the new connection and select properties. @et9s take a look at how you can custo4i)e this connection #efore it9s used. +D.The first ta# you will see if the 0eneral Ta#. This only covers the na4e of the connection" which you can also rena4e fro4 the Network Connection dialog #o? #y right clicking the connection and selecting to rena4e it. Bou can also configure a 3irst connect" which 4eans that Windows can connect the pu#lic network (like the Internet) #efore starting to atte4pt the ;VPN9 connection. This is a perfect e?a4ple as to when you would have configured the dialup connectionG this would have #een the first thing that you would have to do. It5s si4ple" you have to #e connected to the Internet first #efore you can encrypt and send data over it. This setting 4akes sure that this is a reality for you.

+E.The ne?t ta# is the .1tions Ta#. It is The Aptions ta# has a lot you can configure in it. 3or one" you have the option to connect to a Windows 8o4ain" if you select this check #o? (unchecked #y default)" then your VPN client will reHuest Windows logon do4ain infor4ation while starting to work up the VPN connection. 'lso" you have options here for redialing. *edial atte4pts are configured here if you are using a dial up connection to get to the Internet. It is very handy to redial if the line is dropped as dropped lines are very co44on.

+0.The ne?t ta# is the 'ecurit2 Ta#. This is where you would configure #asic security for the VPN client. This is where you would set any advanced IP&ec configurations other security protocols

as well as reHuiring encryption and credentials.

+1.The ne?t ta# is the Networ*ing Ta#. This is where you can select what networking ite4s are used #y this VPN connection.

,F.The @ast ta# is the Ad/anced Ta#. This is where you can configure options for configuring a firewall" and>or sharing.

Connecting to Cor1orate
Now that you have your XP VPN client all set up and ready" the ne?t step is to atte4pt a connection to the *e4ote 'ccess or VPN server set up at the corporate office. To use the connection follow these si4ple steps. To open the client again" go #ack to the Network Connections dialog #o?. +. Ane you are in the Network Connection dialog #o?" dou#le=click" or right click and select ;Connect9 fro4 the 4enu : this will initiate the connection to the corporate office.

,. Type your user na4e and password" and then click Connect. Properties #ring you #ack to what we (ust discussed in this article" all the glo#al settings for the VPN client you are using. -. To disconnect fro4 a VPN connection" right=click the icon for the connection" and then click I8isconnectJ